month working with an organization called New Hope. Primarily, we
are working with transition homes for youth coming out of orphanages,
a very vulnerable group.
The economy of Moldova is
very poor. Many people leave the country to find work, leaving quite
a few orphans behind. Moldova also has one of the highest rates of
human trafficking, (organ trafficking, sex trafficking, labor
trafficking, etc.), so children without homes and families are at a
very high risk.
We are working with
pastors who are creating these safe havens for the children, as well
as a place to learn about Jesus Christ. Last week, (Holy Week for
those of you at home), we were in a village called Cornesti. Our
time was split between bible studies, church services, painting
plastering and cleaning the homes, and field work to prepare the soil
for planting.
Much of the way thesetransition homes must support themselves is through gardens and
vineyards. We worked hard to till a field so seeds could be planted.
As we struggled to till the tough soil and make it useful for
planting, we also learned this week how tough the soil of Moldova is
to till.
I have learned that this
country is a tough place to spread the gospel. There is a feeling of
desperateness and struggle that looms in the air. The young pastor,
Vitale, whom we worked with has been so faithful in the face of
little fruit coming from the hard ground. Many people he has
discipled and seen come to Christ have not remained in the body of
Christ but have fallen away, moved away, etc. He has a vision God
has given him to plant 30 churches. His faith in such a tough time
is incredible; please keep Pastor Vitale and his family in your
prayers.
Please also pray for our
contact, Olga, from New Hope. We were supposed to help them with a
youth camp for orphans from across the country. The communist
leadership of Moldova has told them they cannot hold the camp and
accused it of being a cover for trafficking. This is not the truth,
but they are just trying to find a reason for the Christian camp to
not be held. Olga is responsible for the safety of her staff and for
the children who come to the camp. She is trying to find a way to
hold it at a later date.
Moldova also recently had
elections for the president and his leadership and the communist
party won the election again. There is debate over whether it was a
rightful election, and many are protesting in the capitol. Please
keep this country in your prayers.
We are now in
Sholdernesti, a small town further north in Moldova. This week we
are doing kids clubs in local villages, working to prepare a vineyard
for the transition home, etc. Please pray for God to strengthen our
frames as we continue to work hard tilling the soil.
